Electoral Bonds: Unveiling the Congress Party’s Duplicity in the Theatre of Democracy

In the complex web of Indian politics, the Congress party’s stance on electoral bonds has become a focal point of intense scrutiny and debate. Despite vociferous criticism of the electoral bond scheme for its lack of transparency and potential to facilitate anonymous corporate influence in politics, the Congress has found itself ensnared in a paradox — a vocal critic on one hand, and a notable beneficiary on the other.

A landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India recently declared the Electoral Bond Scheme unconstitutional, citing violations of the right to information and the principles of free and fair elections. The court’s decision rested on the argument that the scheme allowed unlimited corporate funding to political parties without disclosure, posing a significant threat to the democratic process.

Congress leaders, including senior figure KC Venugopal and prominent figure Rahul Gandhi, have not minced words in their criticism of the scheme. Venugopal hailed the Supreme Court’s decision as a protector of Indian democracy, condemning the electoral bonds as a “mega corruption scandal” that would expose the nexus between the BJP and its corporate backers. Meanwhile, Gandhi labeled the Modi government’s involvement in the scheme as potentially the “biggest scam in Indian history,” unmasking the “real face of Narendra Modi.”

However, the Congress party’s acceptance of substantial funds through electoral bonds has raised eyebrows and fueled accusations of hypocrisy. Between 2017 and 2023, the Congress received a significant Rs 1,123 crore through electoral bonds, trailing behind the BJP’s staggering Rs 6,565 crore, laying bare the undeniable role these bonds play in shaping the political funding landscape.

This controversy surrounding the Congress party’s stance on electoral bonds underscores the intricate nature of political funding in India and the inherent challenges of maintaining transparency and integrity within the system. While the Supreme Court’s ruling has ignited a broader conversation about the urgent need for reform in political financing and the paramount importance of upholding democratic values in the electoral process, the Congress party finds itself grappling with allegations of inconsistency and a failure to stay principled on the issue of political funding.

As India charts its course toward a more transparent and accountable political financing system, the Congress party’s actions raise pertinent questions about the commitment of political entities to the ideals they espouse in the realm of electoral integrity.